Abstract

PURPOSE
S: Quality of life is an important health outcome for hemodialysis patients. The purposes of this study were to identify the level of quality of life and to identify the predictors of quality of life among hemodialysis patients. METHOD: A descriptive correlational study was conducted. Data were collected from 103 hemodialysis patients at the hospitals in a community using structured questionnaire and medical record. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Quality of life among hemodialysis patients was relatively lower than that of previous studies. In the final analysis, quality of life was predicted by presence of comorbidity, emotional health, gender, physical health, and knowledge of disease. These variables accounted for 45% of variance of the quality of life. The presence of comorbidity was the most significant predictor of quality of life among hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSION: Interventions to increase quality of life among hemodialysis patients such as health promotion program and educational program for dietary compliance are needed. These must be developed and applied

• Keywords: Hemodialysis; Quality of life; Predictor